Abdominal pain

Abdominal pain is a very common complaint in children, and it’s very hard to diagnose. Sometimes stomach pains do not have to be treated, they will just go away in a few hours or days with no special treatment, other times pain will continue and the cause becomes more obvious and can be treated.

         There are many causes of stomach pain, these include;

n      Bowel problems - constipation

n      Infections - kidney or bladder infections or infections on other parts of the body

n      Food related - food poisoning or food allergies

n      Problem outside the body - muscle strain

n      Surgical problems - appendicitis or bowel blockage

n      Period pain

n      Poisoning - spider bites

                       Children who continue to suffer with stomach pains, and the problem is not obvious, the Doctor may order a few test to determine the cause. These may include;

n      Blood tests

n      Urine test

n      Poo sample test

n      X-rays

n      Review by a specialist

                         You must be aware that recurrent abdominal pain may have no apparent reason; this does not mean that it’s not real and that your child is making it up. If your child is suffering abdominal pain and a cause can not be found try a few things that may ease their pain;

n      Make sure your child gets plenty of rest

n      Make sure they drink plenty of clear fluids

n      Do not push them to eat if they are felling sick

n      If your child is hungry a offer only bland foods

n      Place a hot water bottle on your child’s stomach, or let them sit in a warm bath

                          Proper nutrition plays a great part in helping with abdominal pains; make sure your child is having adequate amounts of fibre and bran. Sometimes giving a child a lactose free diet may help. Avoid foods that you are aware may be causing the pain.

                          If any of the following symptoms are present, you should seek medical attention immediately;

n      Blood in poo, severe diarrhoea, or vomiting

n      Refusing to eat or drink for long amounts of time

n      Fever

n      Pain when passing urine

n      Behaviour changes

n      Lethargy or decreased responsiveness

                         Your child’s Doctor is the best source of information. If you are concerned about your child’s abdominal pain make sure you discuss your concerns with them. You may be asked to keep a pain diary; this will be used to record how much pain the child feels and how often, from this your doctor will determine what test are necessary and what treatment he will follow.

                          I hope this helps…………………………